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St Margaret’s
Issue 9 Spring/Summer 2014
Contents From the Principal.......................................... 03
Year 7 Boarding Precinct.............................. 15
Sports 2014:“no regrets” ............................... 28
St Margaret’s Day............................................ 04
Supporting our Global Sisters..................... 16
Nicky Barrie – Head of Sport...................... 29
Amanda Stein – Patron 2014/15................ 05
Primary Arts Events....................................... 17
An Historic Rowing Season ........................ 30
New Sisters’ Banner ....................................... 05
Purple Ribbon Performance for Primary.18
Old Girls Make Their Mark......................... 31
Extended Scholars Program: ESP............... 06
Book Week 2014.............................................. 19
Old Girls' Sporting Success.......................... 32
Personalised Learning.................................... 07
Fun(d) Raising in the Primary School....... 19
Flying High as a Firebird............................... 32
STEM Program................................................ 08
Year 12 Future Plans....................................... 20
Lifesaving .......................................................... 33
Approaching the Bench................................. 09
Introducing St Margaret’s College............. 22
Hendry Sisters.................................................. 33
Geography: shaping the generations......... 09
Q and A with Dr Kylie Armstrong............. 23
Investing in our Girls’ Futures..................... 34
Model Rower.................................................... 09
Social Media Safety......................................... 24
Foundation Thank You.................................. 35
MAYO Arts Festival....................................... 10
Caring for all Creatures – RSPCA............. 25
Scholarship Relief............................................ 36
MAYO Long Lunch........................................ 11
Planting the Future......................................... 25
Professional Women's Network.................. 37
A Global Boarding Community................. 12
Service to the Sisters....................................... 26
St Margaret's Race Day ................................. 37
Boarding Across the Generations.............. 13
Winning Sculpture.......................................... 27
Connected Across the Years........................ 38
Boarders @ home............................................ 14
ICAS Congrats................................................. 27
Flyer Issue 9, Spring/Summer 2014 Principal: Ros Curtis • Editor and Journalist: Wendy Johnston • Deputy Editor and Journalist: Jo Stone • Graphic Designer: Pam Smiles Photography: Chloe Bartram, Bryan Crawford, Chris Farrelly, Wendy Johnston, Michael Marston, Jo Stone Printing: Screen Offset Printing
From the Principal
One of the aims of the Flyer is to capture the essence of what it is like to be part of the St Margaret’s community. This publication cannot record every achievement or activity, but it can certainly reveal the energy that has been evident this year through the lived experience. In any one year, the St Margaret’s experience owes its energy, not only to the students and staff, but to those parents and interested community members who work tirelessly to support the School and its endeavours. There are many groups, all made up of volunteers, who have different but equally important roles. These include the Old Girls’ Association, the P&F and its many parent support groups, the Friends of MAYO, the Foundation and, of course, the School Council. Over the past four years, the School Council has been led by the Chair, Annabelle Chaplain (pictured left). The Council has accomplished much of its work in this time through establishing working parties, each with a terms of reference, that are focused on bringing about best practice in many areas of the School. These working parties are varied in purpose and length, covering topics from effective governance, to elearning, strategic planning, property master planning, innovation, quality partnerships, data analytics, marketing and communications. Annabelle Chaplain has decided to leave the School Council and the role of Chair, at the end of the school year. She will be missed. Over the past four years, St Margaret’s has been fortunate to have someone leading the School Council who is passionate about the School and whose skills, expertise, and experience in governance have been invaluable. Annabelle goes with our great appreciation of her leadership and work, our best wishes, and with the knowledge that, as a past student, past parent, inaugural chair of the Foundation, and (about to be) former chair of School Council, she will always be very much part of our community. The good news is that the current Deputy Chair of School Council, Alison Quinn, will be stepping into the role of Chair from January 2015. Alison is a past student and current parent, who is equally passionate about the School and its future direction, and well-qualified to lead the School Council. Thank you to all who have contributed to the success of the School in 2014. Your energy and interest are always appreciated, and as you read the pages of the Flyer, I hope you agree the students all look happy and engaged in the programs we offer. I wish all our readers a safe and restorative holiday and the blessings of the Christmas season. Ros Curtis Principal
MEd(Leadership&Mgt), MLitSt, BA(Hons), DipEd, ASDA, FACE, FACEL, FAIM, GAICD
Issue 9 Spring/Summer 2014 St Margaret’s Flyer 03
This is no time for complacency. This is no time to abandon the drive and the optimism and the imaginative creativity which has characterised this country since its birth. This is no time for timidity or doubt. This is a time for boldness and energy.
St Margaret’s Day This proclamation by JFK inspired a generation and, this year, St Margaret’s students have been asked to go forth once again with that same boldness and energy and forge a path for themselves in their own lives. Principal Ros Curtis says she herself was inspired by those words and felt them fitting for this year’s St Margaret’s Day theme. “I wanted to share this with the students and let them know what was inspiring me, and hopefully what could inspire them. I want the girls to take risks and be confident. Boldness and energy reflects the attitude I want the girls to have as they embark on change and make plans for their future,” said Ms Curtis.
Senator John F Kennedy, August 1960 as he rallied the American union movement
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St Margaret’s Day acknowledges our patron saint, Saint Margaret of Antioch. Students raise money for Anglicare and bring donations in for those less fortunate. The primary school students bring in toiletries for the Micah Projects organisation, which supports homeless women and children. It is a day of gratitude and inspiration for the whole school community. “Gathering as a school community and taking part in the St Margaret's Day service helps pull all the components of the day's celebration together. The boldness and courage of our patron saint is mirrored by our students through giving, while the honouring of the Patron further reminds us of the importance of faith through action,” said Reverend Nicki Colledge.
After the service, the girls separate into sporting houses for a morning picnic, sharing a slice of cake and some interhouse school spirit, before the rush for seats on Circular Drive. This is the scene for the annual Chariots of Fire style running races, which wind through the school grounds. The competition has become a signature event for St Margaret’s Day and lining up for the start is a source of great pride, with the runners cheered on by a passionate (and sometimes rowdy) whole school crowd.
This year’s Championship Cup went to Lucinda Crouch, with the fastest time over the full course of 3.03 minutes. Her sister Lara was the Junior Secondary Champion in a time of 3.26 and triathlete Sophie Malowiecki took out the Senior Secondary Champion in 3.19. Over the slightly shorter primary school course, the two Junior Primary Champions were Naomi Colledge and Grace Shearer, while the Senior Primary Champion was Lulu Davidson, in a time of 2.51. Each year St Margaret’s also selects a Patron and, this year, Brisbane businesswoman and St Margaret’s Old Girl Amanda Stein was named the 2014/15 Patron, in recognition of her ongoing contribution and commitment to the School and local community. The theme "boldness and energy" asks our girls to turn their dreams into reality, to seek out their adventurous spirit and tap into their ingenuity, to take on new challenges with enthusiasm, and embark on new ventures with leadership and courage. We are sure JFK would have been pleased that his words are inspiring future generations.
Amanda Stein – Patron 2014/15 When Amanda Stein was asked to be St Margaret’s Patron this year, her first instinct was to say no! “I felt like, 'I haven’t invented penicillin', why do they want me? But then I thought of how much I loved the School, how much St Margaret’s taught me and the confidence it gave me to take risks and be adventurous. I just wanted to share my experience with the girls of today,” a passionate Amanda recounts. Amanda came from “the wilds of New Guinea” to St Margaret’s in 1982, a 12 year old boarder far away from home, to discover a new family waiting for her. “The connections you find at St Margaret’s will last a lifetime. I still have many, many friends and customers who are Old Girls; we are like sisters. We are there for each other when we’re needed. One phone call and the years melt away. It is a sisterhood like no other.” She now runs a very successful business, PandaPearls, in Nundah, rubbing shoulders with politicians and celebrities and people from all walks of life. But she has not forgotten the lessons she learnt at St Margaret’s. “There are so many values that transcend into your daily business life. St Margaret’s taught me to bounce back and take it on the chin – to never underestimate your own inner strength, and that burning belief that you’ll get through anything, with faith and a good dose of St Margaret’s self-confidence,” said Amanda. The team at PandaPearls raise huge amounts of money for many Queensland charities and Amanda is the driving force behind that ethos.
“It is important to give back and there is great joy in charity. It doesn’t have to be thousands of dollars; the gift of giving is everything.” She said she was humbled to take on the Patron role and wants her message this year to be “follow your heart and find joy in what you do”. “You should never be defined by a number or by your academic record. I was never that academic at school, more of a dreamer. If you said I was one day going to be on an honour board here, I would never have believed it,” laughs Amanda. The Sisters remember Amanda fondly and believe she is a good example of a St Margaret’s girl. “She’ll admit to it (being a naughty student) herself, but it shows a lot of spirit, which is always the way. I think Amanda is a good choice. She’s built up a business under her own steam and is donating money to all kinds of good causes,” says Sister Gillian. Amanda has worked hard to build a strong customer base and has legions of PandaPearl fans across Queensland. Her advice to students is to work hard and find a mentor. “They don’t have to be in the same field as you, but someone with similar ideals and values. Ask lots of questions, don’t be afraid to make mistakes and learn from them,” advises Amanda. She wants students to remember that “you don’t walk into an office with a view straight out of school. You need to work hard and unpack boxes along the way”. “You have to work from the ground up. The real world is hard and there are disappointments, but you have to get back up and keep going. Be passionate, be persistent.” “The world is your oyster. There are so many opportunities – take them!”
New Sisters’ Banner Worn and faded with years of use, the original St Margaret’s Sisters’ banner had been central to the School’s formal events for decades.
Advent Patron Saint, John the Baptist, baptising Jesus.
Hand stitched in the 1980s by the then School Principal Evelyn Heath, the banner was ready for retirement and the search for a new design began, headed by Reverend Di Murphy and St Margaret’s graphic designer Pam Smiles.
“It fits in well. He was a very forthright prophet,” said Sister Gillian.
The new banner was unveiled to the school community to much delight on this year’s St Margaret’s Day Assembly. With a background of bright yellow like the old banner, it depicts the Sisters of the Sacred
The Sisters feel their Saint was a wonderful example of boldness and energy.
Mother Eunice agrees: “John the Baptist was very bold and he really didn’t pull any punches. He wanted you to stop doing bad things, be baptised and go on from there to do good.” Reverend Di hopes the new banner will also last for decades saying “it has now taken its place in the fabric of the School”.
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Extended Scholars Program: ESP Lucy Hefferan in Year 7 has been attending the Extended Scholars Program almost every Monday since she began coming to the afternoon sessions in Term 2. Lucy said she had received help across all her subject areas and her grades had improved. She said on the afternoons she was attending ESP, her mother also benefited by having a little more flexibility around her working hours, rather than collecting her straight after school.
ESP is for everybody. It is supervised homework time and extra tutoring all rolled into one, plus a healthy afternoon tea and dinner are provided.
Nicole Makiol has been sending her daughter Eloise to the ESP sessions since the program began. She believes the supervised learning has helped Eloise develop the skills to be more focused at home and it has reduced the stress for the whole family. “It’s great that the sessions are at the School. There is no rush to collect them and feed them and they don’t lose momentum between finishing school and starting on their homework,” said Mrs Makiol.
Sometimes navigating school homework is challenging – there can be so many distractions at home that it’s hard to focus, and then there are the questions that you just can’t answer!
How it works:
St Margaret’s saw the benefits nightly supervised study was producing for the boarders (with all 2013 boarding seniors achieving an OP between 1 and 15) and created the ESP as an option for day girls.
Afternoon 3.30pm–5.30pm, includes afternoon tea and session: 1hr 45min supervised study ($34)
Apart from the obvious benefits this additional academic support can bring, this unique program also helps to address a range of issues navigated by families on a daily basis; whether its catering for the times when it becomes almost impossible to juggle after school commitments of multiple children and/or work, through to helping busy parents who want to be sure that their children’s after-school time is being used constructively. ESP provides up to three hours of supervised study with a qualified teacher or tutor, in the safety and comfort of the school library. A freshly prepared afternoon tea and/or dinner is also provided depending on how long the student’s session is booked for.
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The program operates from 3.30pm to 7.30pm with three session options.
Evening session:
5.30pm–7.30pm, includes dinner and 1hr 30min supervised study ($42)
Combined 3:30pm–7.30pm, includes both afternoon and session: evening sessions plus afternoon tea and dinner ($70) Eloise’s mother believes the ESP has been a worthwhile investment. “She can get into her 'bubble' more readily to study and she is less distracted then when she is working at home. The ESP time has been comparable to having a maths tutor and she has really improved,” said Mrs Makiol. To book go to www.stmargarets.com.au and click on the Quick Link to the Extended Scholars Program.
Personalised Learning: supporting our high flyers
One of the key tenets of a St Margaret’s education is its personalised approach to each child’s learning. The Flyers Program is just one example of how the School recognises and supports individual needs. Understanding the enormous dedication and commitment required to achieve at elite levels, the program, supports outstanding scholars, athletes and performers with personalised learning, so they can follow their passion while completing their education. In the sporting arena, training can almost be a full time job for elite competitors. Three of our world class athletes told the Flyer how the St Margaret’s program helps them reach the podium:
ISABELLA SMITH Champion Runner – State 1500m, State 800m, Oceania Games Having been at St Margaret's now since Year 2, I feel as though I owe a lot of my success to the School and the support which it has given me. Being a part of the Flyers Program has definitely helped me progress as an athlete and get me to the level which I am at today. Balancing work and training has certainly has been a challenge this year, with a lot of travelling and missing school, however being a part of this program has allowed me to alter my timetable and make alternative arrangements to make sure I have had a balance between school work and my running. The program has also helped me to set and achieve realistic goals and has taught me better time management. The foundations I have set at school will help me with my future goals and aspirations. Next year I am moving to America to attend College and compete in track and field and cross country. I feel St Margaret's has provided me with the fundamentals to achieve this.
SOPHIE MALOWIECKI Elite Triathlete - World Triathlon Edmonton 2014, Pan America Cup Sprint Triathlon, Osaka Asian Cup Sprint Triathlon My day starts at 4.45am. I do a 1 ½ hour training session, then go straight to school followed by another 1 ½ to 2 hour training session in the afternoon. The Flyers Program has been invaluable to me at St Margaret’s, as it has enabled me to continue my heavy sporting commitments and pursue my sporting dreams, while still managing my school work. The independent study option has been fantastic, as it allows me to keep on top of my assignments and homework and still manage to get to bed at a reasonable hour. The rescheduling of exams, to spread them out over the exam block time, has also helped me produce pleasing academic results. I have attended talks from a sports psychologist and sports nutritionist, which has assisted me greatly in preparing for major competitions. Next year my plan is to defer (or study parttime) while I train full-time for triathlon. I hope to go overseas during the Australian winter to train and compete in some European races in preparation for the 2015 World Triathlon Championships in Chicago.
GEORGIA BLAIR International Softball Player recently playing for Australia in Japan The Flyers Program is great in that it allows me to continue my sporting success as well as still being able to keep up with academic work. I have spare periods during the week and extensions for assessments when I miss school due to sporting commitments. The School also has a strength and conditioning program, which is great. I can keep my fitness up and have another session during school hours. We have access to nutritionists, physios and other sports-related speakers throughout the year. It is a really great program for any athlete and I have especially appreciated the School’s support. I have had large periods of time away from home and the Flyers Program has helped me catch up, and keep up, with my school work. Next year I am heading to America to study (probably a business degree) and to play softball.
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STEM Program:
born to fly upwards (after a few adjustments) There’s a lot more to building a model aeroplane than first meets the eye. Yes it’s about cutting edge design, mathematical skill, scientific understanding and the mysteries of physics, but there are also some valuable, and surprising, life lessons. A group of Year 10 students has spent the term learning about aerodynamics and flight in a specialist immersion course in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, known as STEM. The course was developed with a $10,000 grant from Independent Schools Queensland and involves building, testing and evaluating a basic balsa wood glider, before crafting more elaborate planes.
“It gives the students a real idea of the practical uses for science and maths subjects. The girls use the physics of flight, as well as hands-on engineering training and IT skills to make their gliders fly,” said St Margaret’s Head of Science Chris Farrelly. The School has introduced cutting-edge technologies to help speed through the drafting and building process, using a combination of technical design software, mathematical simulation and laser cutting equipment. “There are lots of failures but low-cost failures are ok. There is a ‘design cycle’: design, build, test, then re-design. You don’t just build it once, you get in and have a go, make adjustments and have another go,” said Mr Farrelly.
STEM is in the spotlight, with Australia’s Chief Scientist Ian Chubb recently releasing a report calling for a national strategy on STEM to build a better economy. In his report, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics: Australia’s Future, Professor Chubb found a national shortage of STEM skills is limiting businesses and stifling innovation across the nation. The chief scientist wants more specialist education in the fields, starting in primary school and continuing even in the country’s boardrooms, warning Australia will be left behind if more people are not encouraged into STEM. Professor Chubb told the ABC: "If we've got young people coming through the system who are interested in science, fascinated by science and understand how awesome science can be, then we'll be better off for it.” 08 St Margaret’s Flyer Issue 9 Spring/ Summer 2014
It is this mentality of perseverance and the process of critical analysis that provides vital life lessons. The students learn that failures are not an end result but rather can reveal other paths to success. It is this mindset that has inspired some of the world’s greatest inventions. Along the way there is also lots of fun to be had, with the girls now developing their own air foil shaped wings for a more elaborate, dihedral-winged, hand-launched glider. Their next challenge will be designing their own powered aeroplane. Mr Farrelly says STEM is definitely no longer boys’ only territory. “There is an abundance of employment in STEM areas, and a huge under-representation of women. This course is a great way to capture the interest of Year 10 girls before they make their senior subject choices.”
Approaching the Bench:
Model Rower
the faces of our future legal fraternity You’d be hard pressed to win an argument against these St Margaret’s girls!
After a triumph at the Bond University Mooting Regional Rounds, our Mooting team headed to the National Grand Final to compete with 107 other Australian schools. This is a prestigious national competition in which mock court trials are held, giving future lawyers and barristers a chance to argue a case in simulated court proceedings. The ultimate winners are also offered 40 per cent scholarships to study Law at Queensland’s Bond University, so there is fierce rivalry for the top spot. St Margaret’s team of Josephine Booth, Olivia Duce and Isabella Hofmann made it to the grand final and faced a high profile panel, including a current Supreme Court judge and retired District Court Judge, in a tense 40 minute trial. The teams had to argue the hypothetical case of a 15 year old boy who was a paraplegic after an accident at a Council park. It was a complicated legal case and the girls were very pleased to be national runners-up. “The toughest part of the competition was answering questions from the judges on the spot whilst in the middle of presenting an argument, and never knowing what they were going to ask! Mooting has taught me the values of confidence and preparation, and shown me how to think on my feet,” said Olivia. Josephine Booth particularly impressed the panel. Selected as Outstanding Advocate she was also awarded a 40 per cent scholarship to study at Bond University.
What do a rower, singer, science student and model have in common? They are all St Margaret’s girl – Rhiannon Proper! Rhiannon (Year 8) is an aspiring eco-friendly architect and engineer, with a passion for maths and music. This year she was also chosen as a finalist in the 2014 Girlfriend Model search. Her last minute entry beat thousands of others in the national model search that’s launched some stellar Australian careers: Catherine McNeil, Alyssa Sutherland and Abbey Lee Kershaw. Rhiannon told the magazine: “I dance (ballet, contemporary, jazz), play the flute, sing in choirs, play basketball, row and play netball. I like putting myself out there and becoming a smart and interesting woman.” That’s what we aim to achieve at St Margaret’s – to encourage our young women to become confident, compassionate and capable.
Geography: shaping the generations We need more women in planning to get a balance – a different perspective, on how suburbs are shaped. At St Margaret’s students are given opportunities to find out more about future careers and how the subjects they are studying provide an important foundation for tertiary study. This semester, Year 11 geography students heard from international planning expert Professor Darryl Low Choy from Griffith’s School
of Environment about the exciting aspects of his job, which can shape the future for generations to come. “Everyone thinks growth is a good thing but there is growth in the right places – that’s what planning is about.” Professor Low Choy says Griffith University wants more women to apply for its environmental and urban planning degrees, amid predictions of massive population growth in Queensland and a desire for well-balanced solutions. “We need more women in planning to get a balance – a different perspective on how suburbs are shaped.” Issue 9 Spring/Summer 2014 St Margaret’s Flyer 09
MAYO Arts Festival
MAYO has grown from an art show with some student workshops to a two day festival that’s been lauded by the creative community as a vital link between artists and the people. This year’s MAYO Arts Festival was bigger than ever with huge numbers of students performing in events and multiple parent support groups running stalls. The weather was kinder than 2012, and despite the odd bit of drizzle (and one very brief bucketing), the festival is attracting progressively greater patronage from our local community, who are viewing MAYO as an event not to be missed. “We were saying we should take the MAYO Festival out west because it is obviously a good way to break the drought,” jokes Head of Primary and festival coordinator Angela Drysdale. The two-day event included more food and market stalls than ever before and a series of workshops based on the ‘Enchanted’ theme – the Gnome painting was a sell out! As always, however, it is all about the art. This year the show featured some incredible works from leading sculptors and jewellers, complemented by beautiful glass and ceramic creations. In opening the event, Queensland Gallery of Modern Art Director Chris Saines told the crowds he was delighted to see the interest in some of the country’s leading artists. “We invited Mr Saines for a behind-the-scenes look at our collection and he was very impressed. He said it wasn’t just about galleries anymore, but rather events like MAYO that helped expose the community to the art world,” said Mrs Drysdale. The MAYO Arts Festival, which honours renowned sculptor and Old Girl Daphne Mayo, raised over $30,000. This was an outstanding result, and triple the final figure of 2012. Profits go toward purchasing more art to make an investment in the cultural heritage of generations of St Margaret’s students. 10 St Margaret’s Flyer Issue 9 Spring/ Summer 2014
MAYO Long Lunch The Arts Centre corridor was the perfect setting for the inaugural Friends of Mayo Long Lunch and Exhibition. Long white tables, lined with potted herbs in rustic tomato tins, made for a festive Italian-themed lunch, with an incredible 13 courses prepared by the St Margaret’s catering team. In another first, guests were involved in a “pop up” gallery, bringing along some of their own collections, works or just favourite things. Among the more unusual offerings was a 1975 Ducati 750 Sport motorcycle that graced one end of the lunch table, while the same collector’s vintage red car made a bold artistic statement on Circular Drive. “I purchased the bike in 1978 and have restored it twice. It usually holds a special place in our lounge room amongst our collection of contemporary prints and paintings. For me, the design is organic and flowing, but clean, unadorned and purposeful,” said Long Lunch guest Stephen Payne. Another amazing piece was a rarely seen Adam Cullen painting (Archibald prize winner 2000) called “Greg’s Car”. The work by the enfant terrible of the Australian art scene was a lunchtime showstopper. Friends of Mayo is a support group of current and past parents and Old Girls that raises money to extend the School’s art collection. “Lunch was about “friend raising”: establishing the group and beginning the conversation about what our collection, will look like in the future,” said St Margaret’s Art teacher Jenny Lishman. Members this year have been treated to the Mayo Arts Festival opening, the Long Lunch and a special viewing of a private collection featuring works by Margaret Olley, Hans Heysen and Cressida Campbell. To join Friends of Mayo and help build and shape the School’s art collection, go to our website www.stmargarets.com.au for more information.
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A Global Boarding Community With boarders joining St Margaret’s from all corners of regional and remote Queensland, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Papua New Guinea, the Pacific nations and beyond, the boarding community is wonderfully diverse, and our girls are certainly enriched by their experiences of living and studying with people from around the globe. While the boarders come to think of St Margaret’s as their home away from home, it’s important for the School to regularly connect with their families and hometowns as much as possible. Therefore, senior school and boarding house staff members maintain a rotating schedule to as many regions as possible throughout Australia and occasionally have the opportunity to connect with students and their families overseas as well. Head of Boarding Lesa Fowler says she never underestimates the trust placed in the boarding house by families to educate and care for their girls, and always looks forwards to the chance to get out and about and meet them on their home soil. “It helps me to better understand the girls’ backgrounds and what has already shaped their young lives,” said Ms Fowler. “Also, I feel very strongly about giving future families the chance to meet the people with whom they will be entrusting the care of their daughters, so it’s equally important to provide this opportunity to those looking for a boarding school as well. “If Old Girls or families know we are in the area, they invariably try to call in, which is wonderful, as we really become like one big extended family and it’s great to catch up with all their news.”
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This year, St Margaret’s senior leadership and boarding staff have travelled to Darwin in the Northern Territory; Emerald, Roma and St George in Queensland; Narrabri and Casino in New South Wales; and also Vanuatu. Ms Fowler also attended the Isolated Children’s Parents Association annual state conference in Townsville, for which St Margaret’s was a major sponsor. Ms Fowler said her regular attendance at this annual conference keeps her abreast of all the latest education news and concerns of parents from remote Queensland regions. “This networking is vital in helping to inform the way our boarding house can respond to issues surrounding education for girls from isolated areas,” said Ms Fowler. Next year, St Margaret’s is hoping to visit Toowoomba, Goondiwindi and St George, and is planning a road trip through Roma, Charleville, Blackall and Longreach. Representatives will also be attending Beef Week 2015 in Rockhampton (4 – 8 May) and holding a function for all past and present St Margaret’s community members. For the first time, the School will have a stand at MINEX in Mount Isa on 13/14 May. The St Margaret’s website will post a full list of dates and venues for all boarding visits as they are confirmed, both in Australia and overseas. We look forward to seeing you in your hometown.
Boarding Across the Generations
Boarding is in the blood of the Henzell family. Three generations have left regional homes for big city educations – Roy Henzell’s father boarded at Brisbane Grammar, as did he, while his three sisters attended Girls Grammar. Julie Henzell (nee Taylor) was a boarder at St Margaret’s in 1974. Now the couple’s two daughters are here as well – but according to Julie things could not be more different. “It’s more relaxed, which is a good thing. And there’s so much more freedom in many areas like outings, food, clothing, activities, even interaction with day girls. The day girl sleepovers are such a great idea. We can call or email or send them messages any time we want. We speak to the girls almost every day. Times really have changed,” said Julie. It’s no secret that life at almost any Australian boarding school 40 years ago could, at times, be difficult and unhappy. “We were never allowed out. We had to go to church every night. There was eight to a room with just a curtain dividing us,” reminisces Julie. “You can look back nostalgically and say we had fun, which we did, but it wasn’t always a happy time.” Roy agrees: “I can’t ever recall parents being welcome. I can never remember my parents coming down for anything, but now, it’s an open book which is fantastic. We can take the girls out whenever we want.” Given the hardships of boarding life for Julie, you might be surprised to find two of her daughters Brooke and Alexandra in the boarding house. This was not a decision taken lightly and the Sunshine Coast-based family visited other schools before attending the St Margaret’s Open Day.
“There is something about St Margaret’s that is different. It’s hard to put into words. It has a cultural feel that I like. It is history, it is tradition,” says Julie, struggling to explain her feelings when she returned to the School that day. Brooke sums it up this way: “It wasn’t the School that Mum didn’t like; it was the intense rules. When we came here and visited, she found she liked the new environment. She appreciates the changes.” The support, the pastoral care, the career guidance, as well as the academic achievement of the School and the inclusiveness of the boarding family have made for a very happy time for the Henzells. “I’ve loved boarding. It’s like living with friends and you never have to go very far to get help. I often joke I have more freedom here than at home,” giggles a delighted Brooke, who was just on her way to email an application form to study at Oxford in England next year. In regard to the changes in boarding house food, Brooke noted: “It’s a boarder’s prerogative to complain about it, but after being on exchange to an English boarding school I have a new appreciation for our kitchen!” “Our younger daughter has a nut allergy and the School has been really great about that. I think back to those days: big bowls of cornflakes every morning, plain ice cream with tinned peaches, oh and the fish and peas every single Friday. They certainly have more variety now,” said Julie. The Henzells say it was definitely the right decision to send their girls to St Margaret’s, and Julie marvels at her own mother’s stoicism in the days before emails, Skype and FaceTime. “I just couldn’t send them off if they were unhappy, but both of them have loved it.” Issue 9 Spring/Summer 2014 St Margaret’s Flyer 13
Here is Genevieve at home on our Glen Innes district property. As you can see, after many months of extremely dry conditions, as well as minus 12 degree mornings, feeding the stock takes up most of our time. Year 8 day girls Lizzie and Laura had a ball doing the “farm thing”. Anne-Marie Whitehead
Boarders @ home When our boarders go home for the holidays it is to some of the most beautiful parts of Australia and the world. Sometimes they take the day girls with them, creating wonderful memories and sharing experiences with the school community. St Margaret’s encourages these visits as a way of opening the girls’ eyes to different places, lifestyles and sometimes even hardships, which contributes to their growth as well-rounded, capable and confident young women.
Abigail Wright home on the beach in beautiful Vanuatu.
of the year is Coast and this time ld Go us ulo fab the We live on ating whales. On a Highway with migr ck ba o mp Hu the on busy fun with dolphins wh r boat we had lots of s. he las sp d recent trip out on ou ps an ages with lots of jum played around us for Emma Murray
Emma Trier from Darwin at home watching the renowned Beer Can Regatta, a family day out and significant fundraiser.
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e lth Centr New Hea
Year 7 Boarding Precinct The Year 7 transition to secondary school across Queensland in 2015 means that many children will be leaving home one year early to commence their lives as boarders. To cater for the increase in numbers, and to optimise the care of our youngest arrivals and ease their transition into boarding school life, a dedicated Year 7 boarding precinct is being created. Located in West Wing - previously home to the Health Centre and offices – the new boarding wing offers the opportunity to provide a more tailored approach to the pastoral care of the Year 7 boarders. Head of Boarding Lesa Fowler said that some of the new arrivals will be coming from remote areas and very small schools or will have been home-schooled. “Having them in their own special area means we will be able to offer highly personalised care and attention, particularly as they get used to new routines. “Some of the things the older girls have learned to take for granted, our new boarders will be negotiating for the first time, from simple practical matters to emotional issues like being away from home. “They will have their own common room, away from the busyness of our larger areas in the upstairs boarding wings, so it will feel less intimidating as they ease into boarding life and new surroundings. They will also have a dedicated housemother,” explained Ms Fowler. An added benefit of an expanded boarding house will mean that the upstairs Year 8 wing will become more spacious, with a larger common area. The Year 7 girls will also have a dedicated common room in their dormitory. “The younger girls are very exuberant and can’t resist an occasional cartwheel down the corridor or handstand up against the wall, so they will all enjoy being able to spread out a little more,” said Ms Fowler.
Artist's impression of new Year 7 boarding precinct
An added benefit of the new boarding wing is the relocation of the Health Centre to the building affectionately known as the ‘Pixie Hut’, which has been specially fitted out and refurbished. Issue 9 Spring/Summer 2014 St Margaret’s Flyer 15
Supporting our Global Sisters #bringbackourgirls Hitting home for St Margaret’s students was the abduction of hundreds of young girls in Nigeria. School Captains Charlotte Smith and Matisse Waters led the School in creating a wall of ribbons in a symbolic gesture to raise awareness about the plight of the girls and the lack of safe access to education, something that most Australian women would take for granted. Along with a giant banner, St Margaret’s students tied coloured ribbons, on which they had written their messages of hope, to the school fence. The event went global on social media with #bringbackourgirls and the local press also covered the School’s campaign. Principal Ros Curtis said she was very proud of the girls’ response to what is an ongoing tragedy, saying it highlights the disparity between our own lives and those across the world. “We encourage our students to have a global outlook and a compassionate spirit. They are very aware of their privileged position in receiving an education and we encourage them to use that privilege to become the future problem solvers of the world,” said Ms Curtis. While some have escaped, more than 200 of the Nigerian girls remain unaccounted for.
Every two minutes, a woman dies of complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. It’s shocking to think this still happens today and St Margaret’s students are doing something to help.
As part of their community service, the Year 9 students support Birthing Kits Australia, raising money to fund its program to improve conditions for women giving birth in developing countries. Money from bake sales, movie nights and raffles is used to buy the equipment for the birthing kits and the girls help put them together. Each kit contains six items: a plastic sheet, soap, plastic gloves, a sterile scalpel blade, string to help tie the umbilical cord and five gauze squares. “The kits are really simple and basic but it makes it more hygienic and it will give them and their children a fighting chance,” said Year 9 student Daisy Ronald. The significance of what mothers go through elsewhere is not lost on our young women. “In Australia we would just go to the hospital and in Africa they could be just lying on the dirt,” said Year 9 Kaycee Liang.
Do you want to help? Contact the Birthing Kit Foundation Australia www.bkfa.org.au or help fuel the social media campaign by using #bringbackourgirls 16 St Margaret’s Flyer Issue 9 Spring/ Summer 2014
Primary Arts Events:
Spectacular, Spectacular, Spectacular The Primary Spectacular had become SO spectacular that the decision was made to divide it into three events this year: ‘Winter Wonderland’, ‘On Cloud Nine’ and ‘Small Wonders’. "It had grown into such an amazing event, it basically outgrew the School and for the last two years it was held at Churchie. By holding three separate, smaller events, we could showcase all the talents of the primary school and hold it at home," said the Head of Planning and Organisation – Primary, Mary Surtees.
Small Wonders
Winter wonderland
Years 3 and 4 sang, danced and played their way through the ‘Winter Wonderland’ event, which featured the Strings Program, Speech Choir, Junior Choir and Year 4 dance group.
9
9
on Cloud Nine 9
The Arts Spectacular, ‘On Cloud Nine’, showcased Years 5 and 6 students. The Year 5 Band, Senior Choir, and Year 5 dancers wowed the crowd, while the Year 6s in their Wearable Art were a sight to behold.
Pre-Prep to Year 2 created the ‘Small Wonders’ art show, with tiny, beautiful works of art (just like their makers) impressing family, friends and the school community.
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Purple Ribbon Performance for Primary It was a gold medal year at the 2014 Ekka for our primary school students, with St Margaret’s taking out the Champion School honours in the Education on Show competition.
This year the theme was geography, in particular ‘people and places’, which showcased students’ work over a wide range of contemporary curriculum. Entries included drawings, poems, 3D maps, Minecraft worlds, Instagram photos, and even letters to the prime minister. St Margaret’s students won the top three places in both totem pole making and the ‘keeping our food safe’ section, which was a persuasive text about why Australia’s food bio security is vital.
Our girls secured fifteen top three wins and took home over $2300 in prize money. The judges also awarded plenty of fourth and fifth places and special commendations.
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Our students placed first and second in designing clothes for certain weather conditions and dressing models, and the very clever (and beautiful) bags submitted in the recyclable section were awarded welldeserved first and third placings. The champion school announcement capped off a wonderful Ekka year for the primary school and shows the diversity of skills and bourgeoning talent we have in our younger grades. The purple ribbon, along with $2000 in prize money, is awarded on aggregate points. The winnings will be spent on new literacy and numeracy resources, books and problem-solving programs for primary.
Book Week 2014: reading to connect Reading is more often seen as a solo pursuit but this year National Book Week examined ways it connects us together too. Parents came to the School and read to their children, experiencing the closeness of physical contact and sharing the joy of books. We also invited primary students to connect through characters, so our Book Week Parade saw groups of children dressed either alike or as a collection of individuals from favourite novels. Fostering a love of reading in children will set them up for a lifetime of enjoyment and education, be it on an eReader, iPhone or in the worn pages of a well-loved, “old fashioned” book.
Fun(d) Raising in the Primary School Who knew the power of chocolate could be harnessed for such good? Tennyson House raised almost a third of the primary school’s Charity Day’s total of $1385 for the Indigenous Literacy Program with a game called Lob-a-choc! It was also a very popular fundraiser at the MAYO Arts Festival. The Trash and Treasure event by the Year 6s – which is part of their Oaktree Social Responsibility Program – raised $400, which is amazing given that much of the ‘stock’ was sold for five cents. Issue 9 Spring/Summer 2014 St Margaret’s Flyer 19
Year 12 Future Plans: flying upwards after St Margaret’s
Annabelle Traves Sydney Conservatorium of Music “I am really looking forward to concentrating full-time on the violin and there are opportunities to transfer to other Conservatories overseas, which will be a wonderful experience.”
Kiarne Tyllier-Lordi Volunteer work overseas “I will be teaching English in Fiji. My plan is to help paint the local library and start some small projects that will help the community.”
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Evangeline Whittle Bachelor of Science then Medicine
Ellie Strahley Joining the Australian Airforce
“I want to be a paediatric surgeon when I finish my degree.”
“I want to be a pilot. I’d like to eventually fly for CareFlight or the Royal Flying Doctor Service.”
Alexandra Watson BSc Agriculture “I want to pursue a career in grazing, primarily beef. Also I have an interest in breeding stud cattle for the beef industry.”
Zoe Drewe Primary Education
Lara North Biomedical Engineering
“I’d like to teach Year 4, 5 or 6. The kids are old enough to be confident with the teachers and I remember those years as some of my best.”
“I’m planning on designing instruments and devices for therapeutic uses, such as a laser system for eye surgeries.”
Courtney Woods Basketball scholarship in the USA “I was very fortunate to have received six offers for full scholarships in America. I chose Northern Illinois University which is a Division 1 NCAA school and is about an hour outside of Chicago.”
Taneale Lawton Film and Television, Drama
Ellen Purcell Law and Commerce.
“I have just finished a short film for Tropfest that was inspired by my Uncle John's passing. I am also doing a onewoman show in February at the 2high Festival and a play at the Powerhouse in May.”
“I'm hoping to work as a solicitor sometime in the future, but I'm not yet sure which aspect of the law I'd be particularly interested in.”
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Introducing St Margaret’s College An exciting innovation in tertiary education for young women will open its doors next year. St Margaret’s College is a 25 bed residential facility which will accommodate undergraduate and postgraduate female students pursuing tertiary studies in Brisbane. The College is owned and operated by St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School and set in a quiet garden enclave adjacent to the school grounds – formerly the residences of the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent (prior to them moving to Cairnmore in Petrie Street, about three years ago). Principal of St Margaret’s Ros Curtis said she believed this was a first for any Queensland, possibly Australian, school to venture into this tertiary space. “We are very excited about developing the College into a first class residence for young women attending university in Brisbane. “Not only will they enjoy what will be a beautiful boutique accommodation facility with arguably the best views in Brisbane, but, more importantly, the College’s value-added program, which we are calling our Student Success Program, will enhance their tertiary journey through access to leadership learning programs for emerging talent, social responsibility programs, and development of employability skills. “For girls with suitable skills, there will even be casual employment opportunities such as tutoring or coaching available through the School,” Ms Curtis said. St Margaret’s College is open to all young women. They do not have to have attended St Margaret’s School, although this will be seen as an attractive option for many St Margaret’s former students. “I definitely think that familiarity with your surroundings and location, and even living close to your established friendship groups, many of whom will reside in surrounding northside suburbs, will be an attractive option for our former boarders. Even our day students may decide to pursue the benefits that living and studying with likeminded students can offer as well as having the access to the Student Success Program and employment options,” Ms Curtis said.
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“Certainly, there are no restrictions on who can apply, but entry into the College will be via a comprehensive application process, including referees and an interview. “We want to ensure that all college residents are responsible young women, really looking to benefit from all the College has to offer and with their sights set clearly on a successful future.” Overseeing the College will be newly appointed College Director Dr Kylie Armstrong. With a wealth of experience in both the secondary and tertiary education environments, Dr Armstrong joined the College in October. Ms Curtis said it was a real coup to have Dr Armstrong at the helm of the College in its foundation year. “Dr Armstrong not only has experience in education, but her extensive networks and links with academic institutions will support the development of industry mentoring, leadership and pathways to support the implementation of the Student Success Program,” Ms Curtis said. Applications for the College are now open and are available on the school website (www.stmargarets.qld. edu.au > Community > St Margaret’s College). The College will launch its own dedicated website www.stmargaretscollege.com.au in the coming months. Any queries can be directed to: College Director Dr Kylie Armstrong at reception@stmargaretscollege.com.au or telephone + 61 7 3862 0850 The College will have an Open Home on Tuesday 20 January from 12 noon – 6pm. Everyone is welcome.
www.facebook.com/stmargaretscollegebrisbane
Q and A with Dr Kylie Armstrong, College Director
Dr Kylie Armstrong has over 20 years of experience in the education and health sectors, including teaching, research, executive planning, policy creation and leadership development at both state and federal level. When you read about St Margaret’s College, what were your first thoughts?
Unique, innovative and bold – all sprang to mind! I was drawn to the forward thinking and progressive outward focused vision for the future of the College and could not resist the opportunity to be involved. I believe we can create a really dynamic living environment and a world class Student Success Program, which will nurture the potential of every scholar. It’s an exciting phase in the evolution of St Margaret’s, and the College absolutely aligns with the heritage, philosophy and vision of the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent as leading founders of women’s education. What did you think you could bring to this role?
Well I certainly hope my teaching experience and mentoring and supervising students in an academic setting will be of real value to the young women who come through the College. I am really looking forward to supporting and guiding the students as they make that transition from school to university life and beyond. I have been involved in a number of exciting projects from conception which have
all required the ability to juggle multiple demands and deadlines. I know I can draw on this experience to ensure this ground-breaking project delivers for the girls everything we are hoping for, and more. The opportunities really are limitless and I think we can expand the College’s horizons, to include things like partnerships with universities to ensure our students have access to the most brilliant minds in the field. What are the biggest challenges facing young women today in terms of their futures?
Our fast changing global world and economy means that we are educating in an environment where the demand for jobs is also changing. This means we need to prepare our young women at school and at tertiary level to consider new and emerging workforce roles. We also need to strengthen women’s leadership capacity to ensure highly qualified women can participate fully in the decision-making processes of society, through their roles in government, in the community and in the family. While technology can have a tremendously positive impact on our lives, including offering greater opportunities for connecting with peers and building a sense of community, the rapidly changing new media landscape including reality TV, which continue to reinforce gender stereotypes, poses interpersonal challenges for young women. This is one of the many reasons why we need to very actively build more opportunities for our young women to really find their own inner strength and unlock
their human potential. We also need to support young women to ensure they have a healthy balance and maintain a positive identity through engagement with technology, including social media. How do you think St Margaret’s College can help young women overcome these challenges?
I believe we are on the cusp of sweeping change and innovation in higher education globally and St Margaret’s College has positioned itself to respond and lead the transformation. Our Student Success Program will prepare and equip our Collegians with the tools and strategies to respond to our changing world. We will also advise and provide links to academics to support students, including changes that may arise as they navigate through their journey at university. The College will support students pastorally and also provide an academic tutor system to ensure the Collegians maintain a balance in their daily life and are prepared for the academic rigour of university. Importantly, the College will provide a safe, happy and fun environment for young Collegians to enjoy, where respect and trust are the foundation for a quality living environment. This includes expanding opportunities for social activities and enjoying the company of family and friends in College life. What will be the advantages of St Margaret’s College over other tertiary accommodation facilities?
The College is a boutique facility so there will be a strong sense of community and belonging.
The accommodation offerings are outstanding and we believe superior in comparison to many other tertiary colleges. But it will be so much more than just a place to live, with the personalised pastoral care and support provided by myself and the Senior Residential Assistant. While support will be a key feature, we also aim to empower the residents to play an active role in the daily life of the College, including ownership of the college activities and potential development of a Student Council. The foundation students, in particular, can have a powerful impact in their first years at the College and can help shape its future. The Student Success Program is really unique to the College with students being able to participate in leadership development workshops and interact with leading industry mentors. Girls will also have the opportunity to be employed at St Margaret’s School through activities such as sports coaching, academic tutoring, debating, and clerical work such as data entry. Final word?
I believe the best direction to head in life is by allowing unlimited potential to flourish. Brilliance comes from taking risks, embedding a ‘can do’ culture, challenging the norm and unleashing untapped talent. St Margaret’s College will position young women as critical and lateral thinkers, who are creative in their endeavours, who develop an inquisitive mind and who view our world from a different perspective and lens. This only comes from being in an environment where boundless opportunities exist.
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In just 15 minutes a social media expert found out these things about a St Margaret’s student: her street and suburb, her routine that included work that finished after dark, her birthday, her parents' marital situation and more…
If there was ever proof that we need to monitor our children’s use of social media then this is it. In just 15 minutes a social media expert found out these things about a St Margaret’s student: her street and suburb, her routine that included work that finished after dark, her birthday, her parents' marital situation and more… Tricia Munn, safety specialist from Brisbane company Eyes Open Social Media, spoke to St Margaret’s parents at the School’s free Social Media Awareness seminars in July and August this year. She told the Flyer her aim is not to frighten parents with terrible stories and she isn’t saying DON’T use social media – in fact just the opposite. “Yes, it can be more dangerous than you think it is, but there are very easy, practical steps that you can take to make the experience safer for your children and that’s what we teach parents,” said Mrs Munn. She says many parents find the security settings (and social media in general) overwhelming, but getting basic security right is vital to safely using these sites. “It is mind boggling to think that some students as young as Year 4 have an unmonitored smart phone, with no restrictions,” said Mrs Munn. “Parents feel children are safer with a phone, and there is an element of that, but parents aren’t thinking that having access to the internet on that phone can bring the whole world or even unwanted individuals into their lives,” warns the mother of five. Keeping up to date with fast changing applications is part of the difficulty for parents.
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Social Media Safety
Parents' response David and Loretta Meppem, parents of Year 9 boarder Victoria, found the seminar “eye opening”.
Photo sharing app Instagram is now outranking Facebook as the top social media site for young people. The third most popular is Snapchat, where a photo, comment or video is only believed to be visible for a few seconds then is deleted, but it is possible to store Snapchat items without the sender’s knowledge. “Our top tip for parents is to learn about these networking sites, then set limitations on how children can use them and also for parents to be closely involved in what their children are doing online,” advises Mrs Munn. “As a parent you are in control of the devices to which your child has access.” Young women using social media face different issues than young men. Boys are more likely to use inappropriate language and do dangerous things for “good” photographs. For girls, the focus is more about image and appearance. Much teen angst, online bullying and an increased risk of inappropriate attention can stem from these kinds of pictures. “Selfies and photos in bikinis make up a lot of girls' news feeds, presenting them with unrealistic expectations and comparisons to others, who might have taken a picture from the best angle or used filters and cropping,” said Mrs Munn. She reminds parents that a daughter’s self esteem plays a big part in social media use because girls are more likely to post inappropriate pictures to compete with these unrealistic expectations and then seek approval and reassurance online.
“Because we are in the bush, we’re not that savvy with all the latest things and the course really brought us up to speed with the dangers out there,” said David. Loretta uses Facebook herself but found she wasn’t as “on top of things” as she thought she was. “I’m not that step ahead anymore. The kids are actually teaching me how use social media, instead of the other way round. I realise I need to be more pro-active.” One of the things that surprised the Meppems was the way social media can be used to track individuals down, how Facebook and Instagram can be crossreferenced to find locations, and that your online identity can “hang around” for years. “I think this generation really don’t realise the long term effect of social media and the ramifications it can have down the track,” said Loretta. The Meppems are encouraging parents to find out more about social media with courses like this, saying it was very worthwhile.
Caring for all Creatures – rspca
Cats, dogs and cupcakes go hand in hand in September every year, as St Margaret’s girls raise money for the RSPCA. This year the cupcake stall was overflowing and the animals brought in for cuddles were very well loved – to the tune of $1156. That is enough money to vaccinate 38 puppies, desex 11 pets so they can be sent to better homes, or it could help prosecute up to four cases of cruelty against animals. It was a successful (and tasty) fundraising effort.
Planting the Future It might take decades, but one day the Dalhousie grass will be a forest of natives thanks to the hard work of an army of volunteers on National School Tree Day. Over 100 plants were donated by the Australand Property Group on Friday 25 July, and the company also supplied the elbow grease and a landscape architect to help us complete the project. The day is organised by Planet Ark as a community nature care event, encouraging thousands of students to venture into the great outdoors and connect with nature. “Planting the trees will encourage the girls to look after them and watching them grow will, in turn, grow their interest in the environment,” said the St Margaret’s Head of Planning and Organisation – Primary, Ms Mary Surtees.
Watching the trees grow will, in turn, grow their interest in the environment
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Service to the Sisters
The Service to the Sisters program is more than just washing a car or polishing brass. It is an opportunity for a connection with the religious women whose Order has helped forge the path for St Margaret’s girls over almost 120 years. It is also more than just a bit of a helping hand as the Sisters grow older; it is a chance for the Sisters to share their passion and love of God with a new generation. “This is a chance for the girls to build a relationship with the Sisters on a different level than any previous cohort has ever been able to do. It is a connection to the history and spiritual aspect of the School,” said Head of Year 8 Jenny Matheson. For the first time this year the program has been offered to Year 8s as part of their Community Service Passport. The girls spend six half hour sessions with the Sisters over the year, helping out with odd jobs, gardening and cleaning cars, as well as sharing morning tea. Sister Sandra says they love the contact with the girls and sometime have so much help they don’t have enough jobs! The inquisitive nature of the students and the boldness of youth combine for some hilarious conversations that the Sisters clearly enjoy. “They ask a lot of questions. What we do, why we do it. Do you wear those costumes to bed? Do you have hair under that veil?” laughs Mother Eunice. The Sisters are grateful to have the girls so close. “Our opportunity to connect is through the School. Helping people get in touch with their spiritual side is wonderful,” said Sister Gillian. The students also attend morning prayer times, which Reverend Di Murphy says has a profound effect on the girls. “It’s very special. You know you are in a holy place and, being in the company of people who pray often, you can sense the deep faith of these gentle women. It’s like being held in the loving arms of God. It’s a very caring order,” said Reverend Di. As part of the program, the students also research one of the women of the Order, either past or present, and reflect on their life.
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Winning Sculpture An artistic critique of the beauty industry has won a St Margaret’s student a prestigious Sculptors Queensland award. ‘Life on a Coat Hanger’ by Chloe Morgan is a work completed as part of the School’s Art program’s study of the human form. Chloe describes her work like this: “Women are expected to live off of the beauty industry, and to become a part of it. My work comments on the way in which the media and the fashion industries grab hold of women and force them to become a part of the commercialisation of femininity.” She says she used the metal extensions in her sculpture as an abstract coat hanger that grows from, and is attached to, the female form. The judges said they felt “the cane 'coat-hanger’, as an obvious man-made structure, provided a wonderful foil to the organic nature of the figure” and awarded Chloe top honours. The Year 12 student won five tutored sculpture classes as her prize, as well as tools and materials.
ICAS Congrats St Margaret’s students have topped two of the divisions in the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools, known as ICAS. Edwina Whyte (right) took part in the Writing test and achieved the top score in Year 9 for Queensland. Amelia Simpson (left) sat the ICAS English test and had the highest rank for Year 6 in the State. Both are now eligible for a University of New South Wales Medal. Ros Curtis, Principal of St Margaret’s, said the School actively participated in these external competitions because it presented students with opportunities to benchmark their school achievements against the State. “We congratulate these girls on these most impressive results,” Ms Curtis said.
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Sports 2014: “no regrets” St Margaret’s may not be the largest school in Brisbane but our girls pack a punch in the sporting arena. This year we have broken records AND broken droughts, winning premierships, pennants and percentage cups in one of our most successful years in sport. Well known for making waves in the pool, the School started the summer season by reclaiming the Percentage Cup for swimming at the Queensland Girls' Secondary Schools Sports Association (QGSSSA) championships. Then our lifesavers brought home the Sheena Dyason Shield for Champion School for the 16th year in a row and, for the first time, won the Overall State Champion shield. In Andrews Cup, the Primary swim teams just missed out on their Percentage trophy while the girls in the 8 years division placed first overall.
There were many more success stories in the 18 sports St Margaret’s girls are able to choose from, including gymnastics, volleyball, hockey, soccer, touch football, badminton, softball and tennis.
But one of the most impressive statistics is the participation rate of St Margaret’s students. Almost every girl is involved in at least one sport during the year and most are involved in two sports. In other summer sports, the under 14 water polo team won their grand final with a convincing lead and there were numerous personal records broken in the Andrews Cup cross country events. St Margaret’s cricketers won five out of their eight games and the School was able to field ten teams of very enthusiastic basketballers. The rowing season was extraordinary as the First VIII took home the victory cup for the fourth year in a row, unheard of in the history of the event. The girls reclaimed the Percentage Cup and were just one point away from taking home the Aggregate Cup as well. St Margaret’s netballers were also unstoppable this year. The Vicki Wilson competition teams produced winning margins as big as 107 – 13, while the senior girls dominated the QGSSSA events with the open team taking home the pennant for the first time in history. We also had five teams finish in the top three. In Club Netball, 13 teams participated in the Downey Park Netball Association Competition with two teams making the finals, and Team 6 coming away with a win.
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Head of Sport Nicky Barrie is thrilled to see these statistics, telling the Flyer: “It is well known that playing sport and participating in vigorous recreational activity has a positive impact on a student’s mental health and emotional wellbeing. Physical activity is not only one of the most important keys to maintaining a healthy body, it is also the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity.”
Determination, dedication and team spirit is at the very heart of our school and we are very proud of all our girls.
Nicky Barrie – Head of Sport Earlier this year, we were thrilled to welcome Nicky Barrie to the St Margaret’s teaching staff as Head of Sport. Her extensive experience both in and out of the sporting arena and her passion for all things athletic make her a welcome addition to our activities team. I still play hockey, touch football and love going in triathlons and fun runs. It’s a great way to keep in touch with friends. I am always setting myself a new goal. Starting at St Margaret’s mid-year has slowed my training down but I will find a new goal and be back into things soon enough.
Why is sport good for girls to participate in?
Were you always good at sport? I participated in everything that was on offer at school. While I was at school and university, I represented my state in track and field, cross country, touch football, netball and triathlon. Each year I would look at the program and see where the national carnivals were being held, which friends from other states I might be able to catch up with and then focus on gaining selection in that team. I think back now and feel sorry for my athletics coach. I was fortunate to live in Canberra and had a scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport and was spoilt with the best facilities and support at hand.
What is your “pet” event? My pet event was the 800m and 400m. Now I am getting slower, I just make the distance longer! I am running half marathons these days.
We often talk about the "hidden curriculum" in schools. I believe sport is the "hidden culture" in Australia. If we can discuss the weekend football scores or talk about the state of the Australian back line, we will be able make connections in any work environment. Therefore understanding sport is important in all contexts in Australia. Sport helps girls handle the pressures of life. It takes courage to attend a trial of 50 girls knowing that there are only eight places on the team. During interviews they are able to centre themselves because they have felt that level of anxiety when they step up to the line in a race or play a new sport for the first time. They understand a broad range of personalities and how to work effectively with them for the win, rather than against for a loss.
Have you seen a change in the sports education of women in your time teaching? The most significant change is the move from sport education to lifestyle education. Included in the curriculum now are
adventure sports and activities that encourage young women to find something they like and continue it for life. From a social viewpoint, I believe that females are sometimes underrepresented in the media; however ACHPER (the association for HPE teachers) hold a Women in Sport breakfast and target rising female stars.
Which sportsperson do you admire and why?
I admire anyone who has the persistence to work towards and achieve their goal.
What did you do before you came to St Margaret’s as Head of Sport? In my teaching career spanning 17 years, I have held a diverse range of positions: Head of Health and Physical Education and Sports Coordinator of a Mercy all girls’ secondary college; school sports coordinator across secondary and primary schools; lecturer in health and physical education and futures in education with a focus on implications for professional teaching; curriculum coordinator as well as various advisory committees for Catholic Education; and panel member of the Peninsula School Sport Board in the capacity of representing independent schools.
Why teaching?
What do you want to bring to St Margaret’s as the Head of Sport? I have been involved in sport since I began teaching. At first I didn’t see it as giving back to the system that had provided me with so many wonderful opportunities and memories. As time has gone on I want to guide students through the pathways to help them reach their personal goals – from making the St Margaret’s B team instead of the Cs, through to representing Australia. I have had many opportunities while in North Queensland and was fortunate to be part of teams that organised state carnivals for softball, swimming, soccer, touch football, cross country and my passion track and field. In 2012, I was awarded Silver Service from Queensland School Sport. So, I guess the best quality I bring is "commitment".
What has surprised and delighted you most about St Margaret’s girls?
The culture of the School around participation in sport and "doing it" for St Margaret’s is outstanding. The enthusiasm and eagerness to be amongst it is something to behold. It makes my job so much easier. Once the students commit, they give it all they have, and as long as the sport is there, the girls will take it up.
I still don’t know, but I love coming to work every day. No day is ever the same and there is such variety in the workplace. Issue 9 Spring/Summer 2014 St Margaret’s Flyer 29
Photo: Gary Lynagh
An Historic Rowing Season This rowing season has been all about some very impressive numbers:
“The question was always would this speed in training transfer to race speed,” said Mr Voller.
• it’s the 4th year in a row we have won the First VIII at Head of the River
It did, with the proud coach pointing out that despite the normal pre-race nerves the crew “were confident and had trust in one another. They believed they were strong enough to row well and win”.
• it’s our 7th win in 10 years in the premier First VIII race • it’s the 5th season in a row we have won the Percentage Cup • and it’s our 11th Percentage Cup win in 18 years. Even more impressive was the 146 St Margaret’s students that were on the water at the Head of the River competition, showing the School’s commitment to the sport continues to grow. But it wasn’t an easy path to these successes this season. The winning First VIII crew was plagued by illness and injury. In fact, the final race was only the second time the full crew raced together this season. “We have had great coaches and it all just clicked for us. It was our best race on the most important day,” said Rowing Co-Captain Ellie Strahley. Head of St Margaret’s Rowing Jono Voller, a former state level rower himself, knew the team was fast, despite the less than perfect preparation.
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No other school has achieved four wins in a row in this premier event. Jono Voller puts the unprecedented success of the School’s rowing team down to a determined group of girls and continuous “tweaks and changes”. “We’ve changed some of the internal processes and we manage the girls differently these days. We do less training than we ever used to; instead, we are training smarter. With changing crews and new student requirements each year, it has to be a very fluid and adaptable system.” He says there was also a significant turning point after the 2010 season, where the then First VIII team were disappointed with 4th place – the poorest result in the event in 15 years. “The girls made a pact. They said 'we want to turn this around' and that sent us on a different pathway. Each year the older crew members inspire the new members.”
There is also an impressive depth of talent in the school community, making the ongoing success no accident.
“There is no question, we’ve got great students who want to be good athletes and are willing to work very hard to achieve that,” said a passionate Mr Voller. That hard work also paid off earlier in the season at the Head of the Clarence in Grafton where St Margaret’s won the Schoolgirl VIII, Schoolgirl Coxed Quad Scull and Schoolgirl Single Scull. The National Rowing Championships saw more success on the water with St Margaret’s students making up the majority of the Gold Medal Under 19 Women’s VIII. The Schoolgirl Coxed Four scored a hard won silver medal, with four of the five Women’s VIII winners in the crew. There were also 4th places in the Under 19 Single Scull and the Coxless Four, and a 7th place in the Single Scull.
Photo courtesy of Rowing Australia. Sally Kehoe (left) and Olympia Aldersey
Old Girls Make Their Mark on the World Rowing Scene Twice selected to represent Australia in rowing events this year, St Margaret’s Old Girls Miller and Tyler Ferris have been going from strength to strength on the water since finishing school last year. At the World Junior Rowing Championships in Hamburg, Germany, the twins teamed with another two Australians for the Women’s Four event. The girls placed fourth in the B final. Then, in a first for St Margaret’s rowers, the Ferris girls were asked to race at the Summer Youth Olympic Games in China. Unfortunately, the collar of their oar broke just before the start, meaning the warm up for the repechage event was spent frantically trying to fix it. The girls told local media they felt a bit distracted and rushed, and finished fifth. The Ferris twins list another St Margaret’s Old Girl Sally Kehoe (2003) as their sporting hero on the Youth Olympic website. This year, Sally and her double scull partner, Olympia Aldersey, were the Rowing World Cup Series champions in the W2X (Women's Double Sculls) category after winning two of the three world cup regattas (Sydney and Aigubelette). They then won bronze in the World Championships in Amsterdam, after setting a new world best time in the semi-final. Two other Old Girls sisters have also rowed for Australia this year. Maddie Edmunds (2009) was part of the Australian Women's Quad sculls (W4X) which won the first World Cup event in Sydney, and came fourth in the World Championship final in Amsterdam.
It was great to see the Ferris twins back in the fold earlier this year at the annual rowing cocktail event. They caught up with another Old Girl twin set, Charlotte and Isabella Lane (2013), who were part of the rowing program while they were at school, and returned to coach this year. The Lanes were among a total of thirteen past students who coached crews in the rowing program at St Margaret’s in 2014. Head of Rowing Jono Voller believes these Old Girl coaching roles are very important in keeping the sport’s success on track. “They have been through the program and can share their experiences. The standards that have been set need monitoring, and there is no one better than Old Girls to be the keepers of those standards,” said Mr Voller.
Jacinta Edmunds (2011) was a member of the Under 23 Women's Eight which came fourth at the Under 23 World Championships in Varese, Italy. Jacinta was one of four Australian rowers based in United States colleges who combined with four Australian-based rowers to make an eight.
Photo courtesy of Rowing Australia. Maddie Edmunds (second from the right) Issue 9 Spring/Summer 2014 St Margaret’s Flyer 31
Photo courtesy of Swimming Australia Ltd
Photo courtesy of Swimming Australia Ltd
Old Girls' Sporting Success
Maggies' Medal Haul Three gold medals, four bronze and a world record – all thanks to St Margaret’s Old Girls. At the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Australia’s 4x100m freestyle relay team, which included St Margaret’s Old Girl Brittany Elmslie (2011), (main photo above), stormed home in the pool to smash the world record. Brittany then went on to win an individual bronze in the 50m butterfly. She also teamed up with another St Margaret’s Old Girl, Bronte Barratt (2006), for a second gold medal performance in the 4x200m freestyle relay event. Bronte (pictured above) won two more medals, with bronze in both the 200m and 400m freestyle. Triathlete Emma Jackson (2008) won a bronze in the mixed relay and placed fifth in the Women’s event. Finishing on a high in an epic 2014 for Emma, she also took out the last world triathlon race for the year at the Tongyeong World Cup, in South Korea, in October.
Flying High as a Firebird St Margaret’s Old Girl Beryl Friday (pictured far left)is officially a Firebird! The 20 year old’s dream has come true with a selection in the Queensland netball side as goal shooter. The talented player spoke to a new crop of hopefuls at a recent Queensland Netball camp event. Among the group were four other St Margaret’s girls – Binian Hunt, Claudia Fitzpatrick, Alexia Baker and Emma Peacock – who are all in the Phase 2 squad for the Queensland Under 17s. These girls are following in the footsteps of Beryl, who started her career with selection in the same team. Beryl boarded at St Margaret’s in her senior years, coming to the School through its extensive involvement in the Yalari program, and still regularly returns to visit the current Yalari boarders.
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While she proudly co-captained the School’s netball team in her senior year, her passion for the sport wasn’t always so evident; she often tells the story that as a young girl she never wanted to play netball and her mother had to drag her along to games! “I used to play soccer and thought netball was really girly and would cry all the time, but I’m glad Mum made me play now.” Firebirds Coach Roselee Jencke says calling the 184 centimetre goal shooter to offer her a spot in the team was the most exciting thing she has done in her time as the Firebirds coach. “After telling her she went completely silent on the other end of the phone, and I had to say to her, ‘are you there Beryl, are you interested Beryl’? She said, ‘yes, yes I have been waiting for this opportunity for 12 years’,” said Coach Jencke.
Hendry Sisters:
doing it for themselves A world champion athlete and an artistic genius – the Hendry sisters say there’s no sibling rivalry in their house because they’re simply just too different.
“CJ actually split her last two years of high school into three years so she could finish her studies and do the 30 plus hours a week of training and travel,” said the girl’s dad, Rob Hendry.
The St Margaret’s Old Girls are breaking all kinds of records – in the pool and on paper – to become internationally recognised names in their fields.
“St Margaret’s has a fantastic ethic. The School was very supportive, both academically and in assisting with a scholarship.”
Pamela has been an Australian lifesaving champion since she was 16 and until just recently a world record holder (she was pipped at the post by less than a second). CJ began an accountancy degree but realised she needed to follow her artistic instincts. Now, people are following her – 144 thousand of them, in fact, on Instagram – all watching her create much sought after works of art using only a black pen. “We are so different. We work differently, we process differently. We are very close, and growing up together and attending St Margaret’s was very special,” Pamela tells the Flyer. “There’s definitely no rivalry; we are very supportive of each other. We love going shopping together and hanging out.” The girls immigrated with their family to Australia from South Africa 18 years ago, joining the St Margaret’s family in primary school. They were both keen sportswomen in their teens. Pamela did “five or six sports in Year 12 – I can’t remember – but I just loved the team sports”. CJ was lightening in the pool, giving future names like Stephanie Rice and Bronte Barrett a run for their money.
Both girls have returned to the school fold, CJ speaking at the recent MAYO Arts Festival and Pamela coaching the current crop of lifesavers into champions. (See inset) So how does a family turn out two such amazing, high achieving children? According to their Dad, there’s a lot of their mother in them and he believes it’s been a team effort in every sense to get them to the point where they have made their own successful choices. “My wife Judy has been amazingly organised and the girls have worked hard, but everything is about teamwork. It’s all contributed to their success. St Margaret’s has been very supportive. The teachers have been a big influence – it’s not just luck,” said Mr Hendry. Pamela agrees her time at St Margaret’s has helped: “It has 100 per cent set us up so well and it’s been a platform for what CJ does, and for what I do. It’s a wonderful community too. At uni and in my job they say ‘oh, you’re a Maggies' girl!’. It is so good to be a part of that.”
The girls both received scholarships and extra support from the School to complete their studies and compete as such high levels.
Lifesaving Having a (former) world record holder as your coach certainly helps boost a team’s morale and this year St Margaret’s Lifesaving squad has gone from strength to strength with Pamela Hendry as one of the coaches at the helm. For the 16th year in a row, the team brought home the Queensland Secondary Schools Lifesaving Championships Sheena Dyason Shield for Champion School – Female. This is a much coveted trophy named after St Margaret’s very own long-serving and legendary physical education teacher. Also for the first time in nine years, St Margaret’s won the Overall State Champion Secondary School and was awarded the Judith Beal Shield.
Issue 9 Spring/Summer 2014 St Margaret’s Flyer 33
Investing in our Girls’ Futures
Next year will be 120 years since the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Advent opened a school for girls in Nundah with the aim of preparing them for tertiary education. From humble beginnings, their vision and mission have endured for generations, as they have educated young women across Queensland for further scholarship and for life. Through the ages St Margaret’s has moved with the times – vital when preparing girls for the times ahead. As times change more rapidly, so too the School must continue to adopt facilities and technology in order to keep at the forefront of educating young women for their best futures.
Over the years, the continued development of the School has been achieved through the generosity of benevolent donors who believe in investing in our girls’ futures. This year, the St Margaret’s Foundation – which was established 10 years ago to help raise much-needed funds for the School – launched its inaugural annual appeal. An annual appeal provides a regular vehicle through which those who have the capacity to do so can make a tax deductible donation to the School’s building fund or scholarship fund. In an uncertain landscape of declining government funding, and the need for ongoing development across the built environment and to keep pace with technology, such additional funds are vital to secure the future of St Margaret’s as a leading Queensland educational institution. This year’s inaugural annual appeal raised $37,000 from the parent body and past students, with nearly $15,000 coming from Old Girls.
34 St Margaret’s Flyer Issue 9 Spring/ Summer 2014
A little over half of the donations were to the building fund, while $17,000 was donated to the scholarship fund, which provides for students who, without financial assistance, would not have the chance to attend St Margaret’s. This year’s donations to the building fund will be used to refurbish the Year 7 boarding precinct. There are plans to refurbish the hospitality classroom as well, reflecting the School’s commitment to ongoing renewal and modernisation of teaching facilities. The School is also assembling resources through the Endowment Fund to assist in attaining financial independence and to ensure funds are available in the future to continue the development of the School. In time, we hope this will be large enough so that the interest earned from these funds can be used for buildings, scholarships and other projects the School deems important for its growth. Our leading donors who were past students came from the 1965 alumni year and our leading parent donors had daughters in Year 9. We had an overall response rate of 1.28 per cent and the average donation from parents was over $1,000. There is now also the option for donations to be made online through the school website. What was most encouraging was that over 60 per cent of all donations were first time donations. Thank you to everyone who has contributed so generously to this appeal. We welcome all of those people who have joined us on our quest to make St Margaret’s a well-resourced school – ensuring it is here for many more generations to come.
u o y k n a h T Thank You
On behalf of St Margaret’s, the Foundation would like to gratefully acknowledge all those who have made donations in the past twelve months, including those who wish to remain anonymous. We honour our generous donors according to their cumulative giving.
More than $100,000 The Campbell Family The Lee Family
$50,000 - $99,000 The Crommelin Family The Willink Family
$25,000 - $49,000 The Adcock Family St Margaret's Parents & Friends Association $10,000 - $24,999 The Butler Family The Crouch Family Ms Ros Curtis The de Groot Family Helene Jones Est for Nora Baird Matthew and Roxane Horton R & K House The Lisle Family Mrs Evelyn O'Brien The Rennie Family Mr K & Mrs A Splatt The Whyte Family $5,000 - $9,999 Mr C D & Mrs R A Malouf The Quayle Family $2,000 - $4,999 Mrs E G Black Mr Bloomfield & Dr M Rotary Club Fortitude Valley Mr N & Mrs J Griffith The Leembruggen Family Margot (Moore) Love Mr F & Mrs S Pugliese Sharon & Jim Ryan Megan Walsh & Family Dr S & Mrs L Sondergeld Mr D & Mrs R Wright
Up to $2,000 Miss Louisa Ainsworth Mrs Robin Bailey Mrs Diana Boydell Mrs Diane Brouwer Mrs D Caie Mrs Marilyn Carr Mrs Anne Clarke Mrs Glennie Clarke Class of 1959 Mrs D Cossart Mrs Joan Cowie Mr P D'Abreton & Ms Y Hong Mrs M Dale Mrs Jean Davies Heather Douglas Mrs Margaret Dowse Mrs J Duncan Miss Annie Dunning Mrs Catherine Dunstan Mrs Judith Evans Mrs M Everest Mrs L M Fraser Mrs Julia Fryar Mr R & Mrs L Goodrich Mrs Lynn Grantham Mrs Margaret Hamilton Mrs Patricia Hamilton Mr Philip Harris Mrs Ruth Hart Dr Margaret Henderson Mrs C Hill Miss Alexandra Horwood Mrs Sandra Humphries Mrs S Jarmer Mrs A Jobbins Mrs Wendy Johnston Mrs Beverley Kane Mrs Barbara Kelly Mr M C & Mrs P H Kennedy Mr W & Mrs W King Peter Knee and Carolyn Daunt Mrs Aileen Lowe Mrs Merilyn Luck Dr D Macdonald Graham Macdonald Mr P & Dr M Magee Mrs Joyce Marjason Miss Hannah Marshall
Mr R & Mrs K Matyear Mr P & Mrs S McKendry Mrs Neridah Mildren Mrs Janice Moody Professor Miles & Mrs L Moody Mr C & Mrs W Mort Mrs Anne Muggleton Mr B & Mrs C Ninai Mrs Myolene O'Dempsey Ms Shayne Olsen Mr J N & Mrs S M Papworth Miss Martine Pelly Mr T N & Mrs C L Pieterse Mrs Dawn Powell Mrs Pippa Prior Ms Lesley Pyecroft Mr E J & Mrs A M Quayle Mr R & Mrs A Quinn Dilruk Rajapaske Mrs Janeene Rathie Mrs G Rogers Rotary Club of New Farm Rowing Queensland Inc Dr S G Ryerson Mrs Elwynne Sanders Ms Margaret Skerman Mrs Jean Slack Mrs Edna Smith Mrs Janette Snewin Mrs P Somerset Mrs Zoe Southwell-Keely Ms Heather Stephenson Mrs Jennepher Stephenson Mrs Sandra Svenson Mrs Margaret Tait Mrs Joy Tate Mr Merv Thomas Mr R L & Mrs S Thompson Mrs Allison Thorpe Mrs Lillian Tomkins Mrs Betty Tsang Mr D & Mrs M Tuffley Mrs Wendy Vann Lexi Warren Mrs Kay Wells Mrs Judith Wilson Ms S Wilson Mrs Merilyn Wright
Issue 9 Spring/Summer 2014 St Margaret’s Flyer 35
Scholarship Relief: one family's story Life is hard on the land in Australia. Keeping farms afloat, paying your bills, and making ends meet in a crippling drought is a stressful juggling act. Chinchilla farmer Sally Thompson says there are many things you go without but the one thing you simply HAVE to find money for is education.
Sally went to boarding school in Melbourne, so she knew what she was looking for when researching education options for Annabelle and her younger sister Bronte. Sally didn’t just want a private institution with boarding attached, but wanted boarding to be a big part of the school.
“You can’t wait until there is a better time, because the kids keep growing up. You can’t put the kids’ education off. Parents do the best they can for their children, to give them the best opportunities and that’s what we saw in St Margaret’s,” said Sally.
“I walked in here and I automatically felt the spirit of St Margaret’s and it really reminded me of my old school with the old buildings. I liked that tradition about it; we didn’t look anywhere else.”
Annabelle Thompson is a woman on a mission. She says she was hardly an academic overachiever at school but now has two degrees in Commerce and Business from the University of Queensland. Last year she was chosen out of a field of 10,000 applicants to join the Suncorp Bank graduate program, one of only four or five who get the call up each year. Her years as a boarder at St Margaret’s have moulded this dynamic young woman in ways she is discovering each year. “It has shaped who I am and the way I see the world, 100 per cent and it’s nice to have this community that you belong to. The older I get the more I appreciate it. I still have many friends that are St Margaret’s girls.” Annabelle remains involved with the School, coming in to speak to students as they consider future plans and sitting on the St Margaret’s College Reference Group. (See page 22 for more details on St Margaret's College) “It’s nice still being a part of the community. I think that’s a bit of the culture coming out in me too, that sense of belonging.” 36 St Margaret’s Flyer Issue 9 Spring/ Summer 2014
Putting three children through boarding school was tough on everyone in the Thompson family. Voices get tight and tears well up as the mother and daughter talk about the relief they all felt when Annabelle was granted a hardship scholarship, allowing her to finish her final boarding year at St Margaret’s in Year 12. “I knew that being here was really tough on them. And as much as they really wanted to give me a good education, it was hard seeing them really struggle,” said Annabelle. A teary Sally recounts: “You get the fees and you sit there on the step and think 'How am I going to do this next year?'
"It was a huge relief for us. It made it easier in so many ways but it also meant a lot that they thought enough of Annabelle to give it to her … there were so many deserving girls and families.." Rural life hasn’t got much easier but things have turned around for the family. The Thompsons have since walked away from full-time farming and gone back to standard jobs. This year, after paying their final boarding bill, Sally and her husband Ronald felt it was time to give back. “These scholarships don’t just happen. You should give back if you can,” said Sally, pointing out how grateful she is to those who’ve contributed to the St Margaret’s Foundation in the past. Annabelle appreciates it more than anyone, saying it has sown the seeds for her life and given her opportunities she may never have had. “Never underestimate the power of your donation, big or small. It can go a very long way.” The St Margaret’s Foundation facilitates all donations to the Scholarship Fund, which provides support to girls like Annabelle.
Professional Women's Network: be inspired From the Principal
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Through this year’s Professional Women’s Network (PWN) events, women in the St Margaret’s and wider communities have had the opportunity to network, both socially and professionally, and to hear from four captivating speakers – Dr Alex Markwell, Simone Pelly, The Hon. Ashley Dawson-Damer and Sally Jenyns. Held four times throughout the year, at varying locations and times to cater for the different shapes of people’s lives, the
events will continue in 2015, and we again look forward to being inspired by four motivational women, across a range of professions and pursuits. The first event, an informal gathering over evening cocktails and canapés, will be held on Thursday 26 March 2015 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm in the St Margaret’s Arts Centre Foyer, with guest speaker Maxine Horne, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Vita Group. Maxine is a strong and passionate business leader
whose single phone shop on the Gold Coast grew into a national, publicly-listed company. The PWN events are open to all in the St Margaret’s community and their friends and business associates. Regular attendees are now using the events as the perfect opportunity to catch up, be inspired and to meet like-minded women across Brisbane. (Details of the events can be found on the St Margaret’s website).
St Margaret's Race Day Perfect spring weather was the order of the day, along with fashion, fascinators and a festive atmosphere at the 18th annual St Margaret’s Race Day, held this year on Saturday 6 September. Hosted by the P&F, close to 300 guests enjoyed the celebrations in the trackside marquee at Doomben, with all the excitement of the horses thundering past. The event was generously sponsored and supported by the St Margaret’s community and its wider network and proved to be not only a very successful fundraiser for the School, but also a terrific day out.
Issue 9 Spring/Summer 2014 St Margaret’s Flyer 37
Connected Across the Years This year’s reunion weekend in July was well attended with the 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 years milestone reunions held across the Friday and Saturday. Many also returned for Old Girls’ Day and the Chapel Service followed by morning tea, on the Sunday. The Sisters very generously donated prayer and hymn books, which had belonged to Sisters in the Order over the years, to pass on to interested Old Girls – a gracious and touching gesture and many of those present left clutching this special memento. The School also welcomed that very distinguished group of Old Girls who belong to the 60 plus VIP group to a luncheon in June. Following her 60 year reunion, Old Girl Norma Jenson (1954) sent in the following correspondence to St Margaret’s Director of Development and Community, Mrs Helen O’Connor. Her words expressed what many Old Girls had shared in person across the reunion weekend and Norma was happy for the Flyer to reprint her message, as it captured this collective sentiment so articulately.
38 St Margaret’s Flyer Issue 9 Spring/ Summer 2014
wonderful tions for the Dear Helen la tu a gr n y co kend. e express m Please let m you organised last wee ars was a h hic so many ye er ft a occasion w s of ol o h y old sc nt memorie g back to m such pleasa , in id go , d lf it se s it a In iting, ience, reign great exper . er out what rd a o ab yarning ab d n a my time as ts e en d t part by th past stu ny of those sult, in grea a re m a s so a g s, in ve See r li . done with ou s a fantastic experience we have all a w , ol o emories ch S the ack fond m b t gh l u teachings of ro b ounds hom we stil rough the gr ill not see again but w th g in er d n Wa ts we w and studen of teachers s. ost rt ea h our ul with a m hold close to was delightf e ic rv se h ning’s churc aplain. Sunday mor the school ch om fr nday on rm g tea on Su inspiring se the mornin d n a y a rd Satu The lunch on the entire weekend. lated for d te en m be congratu le to p o ls com a re a mittee and her com Libby Black occasion, ork. I was at this t a th g n their fine w ri only for ensu eekend. Helen, not tion of the w Thank you ur organisa yo r fo o ls a t bu regards With kind rely Yours since sen n Je a m Nor
We thank Norma for allowing us to share this with you all, but also note that these reunions can only be what our Old Girls make them. We thank everyone for attending and warmly embracing the memories of their school days.
1974 1954 1984
1964
1994 VIP Reunion
2004
Sydney Reunion Issue 9 Spring/Summer 2014 St Margaret’s Flyer 39
Open Day
Saturday 7 March 2015 9.30am to 12.30pm
Open Morning Thursday 13 August 2015 8am to 10.30am After school care available in 2015 from Pre-Prep to Year 6 For all enrolment enquiries call our Registrar on (07) 3862 0777 or email registrar@stmargarets.qld.edu.au
www.stmargarets.qld.edu.au
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twitter.com/stmargaretsags
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St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School 11 Petrie Street Ascot QLD 4007 Australia Telephone: +61 7 3862 0777 Facsimile: +61 7 3862 0701 mail@stmargarets.qld.edu.au www.stmargarets.qld.edu.au A School of the Society of the Sacred Advent
ABN: 93 492 310 839 CRICOS Code: 00511K